Rory Duffy

Rory Duffy is a London-based saxophonist/woodwinds specialist with a background in jazz and improvised music. Raised in Stroud, south west England, Rory grew up listing to a variety of jazz, classical and world music and musical theatre. He took up piano age 9, although later specialised in saxophones (11) and clarinet (16 onwards). Rory has also been a flautist since 18.

Rory studied saxophone at the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music) with Rob Buckland, Andy Scott, Mike Hall and Julian Arguelles as the second recipient of the Martyn Edwards Scholarship for Jazz. During this time, Rory performed with the RNCM Big Band, appearing with Chris Potter, Pete Long, Norma Winstone, Birger Sulsbruck and Johnny Dankworth, and attending masterclasses with Bob Mintzer and Andy Sheppard.

Rory also completed 2 academic papers on Afro-Cuban Music and its influence on jazz and popular music and Brazilian Bossa Nova in its divergence from Samba, respectively.

After graduating with a First Class MMus in 2009, Rory set up Red & Black Music through which he runs his 4 projects covering Jazz, Latin, Soul and Brazilian music. He has also been in demand as a freelancer on saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano, and for his arrangement and orchestration skills.

Rory has worked in a variety of fields ranging big bands, contemporary music ensembles, DJ/sax duos, jazz and world music collectives, party bands, musical theatre productions, promotional and media work, studio sessions, saxophone quartets and orchestras. Highlights include bringing the 12-piece Diáspora Latin orchestra to Camden’s Jazz Café and musical directing Phasma’s performance with X-factor finalist Burgandy Williams at Pizza Express Holborn.

Rory has appeared at jazz clubs such as Band on the Wall, Matt & Phred’s and The Hideaway Streatham. He has taken his bands extensively around London, Manchester, Bristol and the rest of the UK.

In addition to being a saxophones/woodwinds specialist, Rory is Grade 8 Piano and a professional composer and backing vocalist.